Day 152 Streaky Bay & around

After a relaxing day in Ceduna it is time to hit the road and move on to Streaky Bay. The drive from Ceduna to Streaky Bay is only just over an hour, so we decided to do some sightseeing around Streaky Bay and the Eyre Peninsula. But before we left Streaky Bay to explore the surrounding, Stuart demanded some breakfast from the local bakery and everybody agreed: Elliot´s bakery is highly recommended.

After having a quick look at the church in Streaky Bay we drove the Cape Bauer Loop. First stop on this loop are the whistling rocks and blowholes, where the broadwalk to the sights was covered in moving sand dunes. With the stormy weather the waves hit the rocks pretty well, so that there was a whistle to hear after bigger waves. From the other lookout for the blowholes we couldn´t see any water coming up, but maybe water levels were just too low for that.

On the gravel road to the next sight on the loop, we had to stop or drive around wildlife on the street pretty often. The last stop on the loop, the Cape Bauer Lookout had some spectacular views on the cliffs in the area and a little 'island' in the waves. As there was no rain for the moment, a nice spot to enjoy the views.

The second scenic drive, the Westall Way Loop Drive took us to more lookouts along the more southern part of the Eyre Peninsula. First lookout were the High Cliffs, where the beach has some colorful rock formations, but given the wind & temperatures that day it was not tempting to walk down to the beach. For the second stop along the loop drive, The Granites, the gravel road became so bumby, we decided to not risk car damage and walk instead to this cliff lookout. It is a very lovely lookout where you can watch the rough sea with big waves hitting the coastline. As the rain had stopped for a while we could watch the waves for some time.

Next on the loop drive was a short photo stop at Point Westall. The last stop on the loop drive promised swimming in sheltered rock pools. Well, we drove to the beach with lots and lots of rocks, but there weren´t really any 'smooth pools' or sheltered rock pools, but instead there were either water pools inbetween the rocks where the waves could reach the rocks or very small to tiny rock pools. It is still nice to walk around the rocks at this Smooth Pool stop, but don´t expect nice bathing swimming rock pools.

The third and last scenic drive for the day, the Point Labatt Sea lion scenic drive took us directly to the Point Labatt Lookout. From the broadwalk on top you can watch the worlds´ rarest sea lions, the Australian Sea Lions cohabitating with New Zealand fur seals. They are quite a fun bunch 'walking' around the beach, going for a swim, chasing each other or some of the birds also present at this lookout.

On our way back to Streaky Bay we stopped on our last point of interest for the day along this scenic drive: Murphys Haystacks. As the weather inland wasn´t so windy and partly rainy anymore, in fact even some sun showed up, Stuart was eager to leave the car now to explore these haystacks. Well, eventually the haystacks are Inselbergs which have been shaped by wind & weather and got their name by looking from a distance like a bunch of hay stacks as the surrounding area here is producing wheat & hay.

Despite the not so nice summer-like weather, it was a great day exploring Streaky Bay and the surrounding coastline.